How to install & set up Autodesk Vault Basic 2020 in 20 minutes!

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to installing and setting up Autodesk Vault Basic 2020. It covers everything from downloading the software to configuring it with Autodesk Inventor, ensuring you're ready to manage your data effectively.

Step 1: Download Autodesk Vault Basic

1. Go to your Autodesk account at manage.autodesk.com.
2. Sign in and navigate to the product that comes with Vault Basic (e.g., Autodesk Inventor Professional).
3. Click on "View Downloads."
4. Ensure you select Vault Basic 2020 and change the download method to "Browse Download."
5. Download the following files:
   • Vault Basic Client (VBC 2020)
   • Vault Basic Server (VBS 2020)

Step 2: Extract Installation Files

1. Locate the downloaded files in your directory.
2. Double-click on VBC 2020.exe and VBS 2020.exe to extract the installation files, keeping the default extraction directory (C:\Autodesk).
3. After extraction, you should see two folders: VBC 2020 and VBS 2020.

Step 3: Enable Windows Features

1. Open Control Panel and select "Programs."
2. Click on "Turn Windows features on or off."
3. Enable the following features:
   • .NET Framework 4.7
   • Internet Information Services (expand this and check the relevant boxes under Web Management Tools and World Wide Web Services).
4. Click OK and allow Windows to install these features.

Step 4: Prepare Installation Directories

1. Go to your C Drive and create a new folder named Vault Data.
2. Optionally, customize the folder icon to indicate it should not be modified.
3. Inside Vault Data, create two additional folders:
   • Vault SQL
   • File Stores

Step 5: Install SQL Server

1. Navigate to C:\Autodesk\VBS 2020\Third Party\SQL2017Express\Advanced\x64\setup.exe.
2. Right-click and select "Run as administrator."
3. Follow these steps:
   • Click "New SQL Server standalone installation."
   • Accept the license terms and proceed.
   • Uncheck "Machine Learning Services."
   • Keep "Full-Text and Semantic Extractions for Search" checked.
   • Set the Instance Root Directory to the Vault SQL folder you created.
   • For the Named Instance, type AutodeskVault (in uppercase).
   • Change the SQL Server Database Engine account name to "Network Service."
   • Select Mixed Mode authentication and set the password to AutodeskVault@6200.
   • Configure the TempDB settings (optional, based on your system's cores).
4. Click Next and complete the SQL Server installation.

Step 6: Install Vault Server

1. Go back to C:\Autodesk\VBS 2020.
2. Right-click on setup.exe and run it as administrator.
3. Click "Install" and accept the license agreement.
4. Leave the default settings and click "Install" to proceed.
5. If prompted about an existing database, click "Yes."

Step 7: Create a New Vault

1. After installation, run the Vault Console as an administrator.
2. When prompted, select "Yes" to create a new vault.
3. Enter your vault name (e.g., your company name).
4. Set the File Store Location to the File Stores folder you created earlier.
5. Click OK and allow the vault to be created.

Step 8: Install Vault Client

1. Navigate to C:\Autodesk\VBC 2020.
2. Right-click on setup.exe and run as administrator.
3. Follow the prompts, ensuring any necessary add-ins for AutoCAD and Inventor are selected.
4. Complete the installation.

Step 9: Manage Users

1. Open Autodesk Data Management Server Console.
2. Go to Tools > Administration > Manage Users.
3. Edit the Administrator account to set a password.
4. Create new users as needed, assigning roles appropriate to their access level.

Step 10: Configure Inventor

1. Open Autodesk Inventor and select the Vault tab.
2. Click "Login" and enter your credentials.
3. Create a new Vault Project, linking it to the Working Folder.
4. Configure folder settings in the project environment to ensure proper file organization.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed and set up Autodesk Vault Basic 2020, along with configuring it for use with Autodesk Inventor. Remember to regularly back up your vault data and maintain user management to ensure a smooth workflow. For further learning, consider exploring additional resources or tutorials on optimizing Vault usage.